The Vernon Ellis Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £435,891 (2024/25)
• Annual Income: £141,834
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Primarily UK
• Application Process: Invitation only - no public applications accepted

Contact Details

Email: vernon@vernonellis.net

Phone: 07711 961788

Charity Number: 1090013

Note: Contact details provided for information only. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Vernon Ellis Foundation is a small, focused UK charity registered in 2002 (charity number 1090013) that supports music organizations through strategic, targeted grants. Founded by Sir Vernon Ellis, the former International Chairman of Accenture and prominent arts patron, the foundation concentrates on programs that develop young artists and use music to enhance education and wellbeing. The charity also supports specific health and educational programs where music plays a central role. With annual expenditure of approximately £436,000, the foundation operates through a proactive trustee-led model, identifying and approaching organizations rather than accepting speculative applications. All five trustees serve without remuneration, reflecting the foundation's commitment to directing maximum resources toward its beneficiaries.

Funding Priorities

Focus Areas

The Vernon Ellis Foundation concentrates its funding on:

Music Education and Young Artists

• Programs that develop emerging musical talent
• Initiatives supporting young musicians' professional development
• Music education programs across various settings

Music for Wellbeing and Education

• Projects using music to enhance educational outcomes
• Music-based programs supporting health and wellbeing
• Initiatives demonstrating measurable impact on participants' lives

Specific Health and Educational Programs

• Targeted programs where music serves as a therapeutic or educational tool
• Health-related initiatives incorporating musical interventions

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, as the foundation:

• Does not accept unsolicited applications
• Focuses specifically on music-related causes
• Operates through trustee-identified opportunities

It is unlikely to fund general charitable causes, non-music-related projects, or organizations outside the trustees' existing networks and areas of interest.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The foundation is governed by five trustees:

Sir Vernon James Ellis (Founder and Trustee)

Former International Chairman of Accenture, knighted in 2004 for services to business and the arts. Sir Vernon has held leadership positions including Chairman of the British Council and Chairman of the Royal Academy of Arts Trust. His extensive experience in arts patronage informs the foundation's strategic approach to supporting music organizations.

Mark Bide (Trustee since April 2014)

Brings established governance experience to the foundation.

Reverend Mary Elizabeth Bide (Trustee)

Contributes perspective on community and educational impact.

Andrew David Ellis (Trustee)

Family member involved in foundation governance.

Kate Louise Cousins (Trustee)

Provides additional governance oversight.

All trustees serve without remuneration, ensuring that all foundation resources support its charitable activities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Vernon Ellis Foundation does not have a public application process.

According to the Charity Commission register, this is a small charity that “does not invite speculative applications.” The trustees are “proactive in working with organisations they wish to help.”

This means:

• The foundation identifies potential beneficiaries through the trustees' networks and expertise
• Grants are awarded based on trustee initiative rather than external applications
• Organizations cannot submit unsolicited funding requests
• The foundation operates through relationships and direct identification of worthy causes

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's operational model, organizations working in music education, young artist development, or music-based health and educational programs may come to the trustees' attention through:

Sector Presence: Maintaining visible excellence in music education or youth development work, particularly in programs that demonstrate measurable impact on young musicians or use music for educational/wellbeing outcomes.

Network Connections: The trustees have deep connections in the UK arts sector, particularly through Sir Vernon Ellis's extensive involvement with major cultural institutions including the Royal Academy of Arts, British Council, and other prominent arts organizations. Organizations that interact with these institutions or their networks may be more visible to the foundation.

Excellence and Innovation: Given Sir Vernon's background in business leadership and arts patronage, the foundation likely values programs that demonstrate both artistic excellence and effective organizational management, with clear outcomes for beneficiaries.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept applications, success in receiving support depends on:

Alignment with Core Mission

• Clear focus on music education, young artist development, or using music for wellbeing/educational purposes
• Demonstrable impact on beneficiaries, particularly young people
• Programs that combine artistic excellence with social benefit

Organizational Quality

• Strong governance and financial management
• Clear program outcomes and evaluation methods
• Reputation for excellence in the music education or arts sector

Trustee Awareness

• Visibility within UK music education and arts sectors
• Connections to major cultural institutions or networks where trustees are active
• Recognition for innovative or effective programs in the foundation's areas of interest

Strategic Fit

• Programs that align with the trustees' current priorities and interests
• Scale appropriate for a small foundation's support
• Clear potential for impact and sustainability

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications. Organizations should focus on excellence in their work and sector visibility rather than direct solicitation.

• Trustee-Driven: All funding decisions are made proactively by trustees who identify organizations to support based on their knowledge and networks.

• Music Focus: Funding is concentrated on music-related causes, particularly young artist development and music's role in education and wellbeing.

• Small but Active: Despite modest income (£142K), the foundation distributed £436K in its latest year, indicating significant grant-making from reserves or accumulated funds.

• Quality Over Quantity: As a small, focused foundation with proactive trustees, they likely support a limited number of organizations but may provide meaningful support to those they select.

• Sector Excellence: Organizations should concentrate on delivering excellent programs with clear impact rather than attempting to approach the foundation directly.

• Network Visibility: Presence in UK arts and music education sectors, particularly connections to major institutions where Sir Vernon Ellis has been involved, may increase visibility to trustees.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• The London Community Foundation
• The Big Give Trust
• Backstage Trust
• The Reed Foundation
• The Rayne Foundation
• The Chalk Cliff Trust
• The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• THE SIMON GIBSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Clare Milne Trust
• THE JOHN HORSEMAN TRUST
• THE DAVID FAMILY FOUNDATION
• P H Holt Foundation
• THE SCOPS ARTS TRUST
• THE NORMAN FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Howard Foundation
• The Thistle Trust
• The Cotton Industry War Memorial Trust
• KATHLEEN BERYL SLEIGH CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Garrick Charitable Trust

References

• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities: The Vernon Ellis Foundation (Charity Number 1090013)

URL: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1090013

Accessed: December 2, 2025

• UK Charity Commission Trustee Information: The Vernon Ellis Foundation

URL: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3987748/trustees

Accessed: December 2, 2025

• Charity Commission financial data showing income of £141,834 and expenditure of £435,891 for financial year ending April 5, 2025

Note: Due to the foundation's private nature and lack of public-facing materials, this overview is based primarily on Charity Commission records and publicly available information about Sir Vernon Ellis's career and philanthropic involvement. Web search tools were unavailable during research, limiting access to additional sources such as news articles, beneficiary reports, or detailed program information.